Chapter 2: Divorce

Violet tried to calm me down.

"Don't listen to what she is saying," she whispered.

She tried to push Mia out of the room. But Mia kept shouting.

"I should show Emilia! So she can see for herself!"

Violet brushed her off. She said Mia was only making up stories. I knew better. Deep down, Violet believed her. She just acted otherwise so I would not be triggered.

I tried not to be hurt by Mia's words. I told myself I would face her at the right time. When I was strong enough.

That night, I barely slept.

Morning came with bright sunshine. I dressed for work, even though Violet begged me not to go.

"You need rest, Emilia," she said.

"If I don't work, how will I pay back the loans?" I replied.

She had no answer for that.

I walked downstairs to get a cup of coffee. On my way back, I noticed two familiar faces sitting on the sofa. It was Clara and Ethan, my colleagues. They were sitting close together, looking worried.

I frowned. "Why are you both here? You should be at work."

"You need to calm down," Clara said. She turned to face me. "You need to hear this."

My heart began to race.

"Nora bought the workplace," Ethan said quietly.

For a moment, I said nothing.

Then it all made sense. I knew she had done it on purpose. That woman had taken my husband. Apparently, that was not enough for her. Now she wanted my job too.

My mind went blank. Everything faded around me. I forgot where I was. I forgot Clara and Ethan. I slipped into a memory I wished I could erase.

---

It was a quiet night. Rui and I were lying together in bed.

"I really need to start my business," he said softly. "But I don't have a dime. I can't even afford the equipment."

He turned and looked into my eyes.

"You look so beautiful tonight," he smiled.

I smiled back. I always did.

"I'm not asking for money right now," he continued. "You have already done too much. You bought me a car. You paid my medical bills alone. You changed my life."

He paused.

"But I was thinking about the money your father left you. We have already spent a lot of it."

He said "we." But I knew the truth. Most of that money had gone to him.

"How much do you need?" I asked.

"Close to ninety thousand dollars."

I was shocked. It was a huge amount. Any sensible woman would have stopped and thought.

But I did not.

I was a girl in love. I believed that when he finally made it, he would keep his promises. I decided to give him the money. My father's money. My share of his fortune.

"Fine," I said at last. "I will give it to you."

Rui rolled over to my side of the bed. He was almost screaming with joy.

"Really? I love you so much! Where will I ever find a woman like you?"

He kissed my hands.

"I will buy you a big, luxurious house. You deserve it. I will buy you the big ship you always dreamed of. We will fly to places we have never been. And I will start a company in your name."

It is irritating now. I believed every word. They were worthless, empty promises.

A few weeks later, something felt wrong.

Rui had gone to work that morning. But that night, he came home very late. The clock was almost striking midnight.

He looked tired. He looked rough.

He lay on the bed without a word. He did not even look at me.

Later, I noticed something red on the floor. I picked it up.

It was a pair of red panties.

My hands began to shake.

"Rui," I said sharply. "What is this?"

He was shocked when he saw it. For a few seconds, he could not speak.

Then he said, "I bought it."

"You bought it?" I stared at him. "Where? Without a package?"

He gave no clear answer.

I asked myself the same question again and again. Where did he buy it?

I did not sleep that night.

___

"Emilia!"

A hand tapped my back.

I jumped. It was Ethan. His voice had pulled me back to reality.

"Look at me," he said gently. "You are lost in thought again."

Clara took my arm and helped me stand.

"I suggest we go and see Rui," she said firmly.

Ethan agreed. "You have to. You can't pay this loan alone. He owes you."

I shook my head. "There is no need. I don't think I can look at his face."

"Yes, you can," Clara said. "You will show Rui what he deserves."

Her words stayed with me.

Later that day, I found myself standing in front of Rui's house.

It was not a house. It was a mansion. Tall gates. Clean white walls. Perfect gardens.

It belonged to Nora.

We entered the compound and walked up to the main door. A maid opened it and blocked our way.

"Ma, sir, please," she pleaded. "I have not taken permission."

"We have already spoken with him," Ethan said calmly.

It was a lie. But the maid was too nervous to argue. She stepped aside.

We waited in the large living room. The marble floor was spotless. The chandelier above us sparkled. I felt small standing there.

Then I heard footsteps.

Rui came down the stairs. He was still in his nightwear. His hair was messy, and he looked relaxed.

I waited for him to smile at me. I waited for the old look in his eyes. The one that used to call me a precious gem.

It never came.

He looked at me like a stranger. Like a random woman who had walked in from the street.

That hurt more than anything.

Then Nora appeared behind him.

She wore light, revealing underwear. She walked with confidence, like the queen of the house. She stood close to Rui and folded her arms.

Her eyes moved slowly over each of us. She studied me from head to toe.

Nobody spoke.

The silence felt heavy.

Then Nora tilted her head and said calmly:

"We don't need bad energy here."